Polaris, a room where many within the cave went for direction. This little one was no different, desperate to find a path of fate. Nestled amounts crystal formations and moss laid a chrysalis. Color stark in contrast to the pristine crystals that surround it. It laid there with deep purples, greens and veins of black ichor, and inside it hummed a pulse. A soft thrum, a beat that was calm and one that was waiting. Light within the cave roiled over the stone, inside blurred but stark waves of light bled through to the soul that slept inside.

It had been getting brighter now the more they grew, the lighter faces of their chrysalis allowing light to bleed into their small world. It was bright, and danced through the chrysalis like churning waves; enough to wake them now. Six eyes lazily blinked open, new a foreign they stilled; watching the dancing hues across pale skin within the confines of their home. It was quiet, save for hushed whispers that were drowned out like water; white noise to this one so young and so innocent yet.

Multitude of limbs began to move, tail curling and lazily thwacking the side of their containment. It gave a sound, deep but that of glass when the long limb cracked against the walls with the tip. They could not move much, it was too cramped; despite being a beautiful sight and rather comfortable otherwise...this would not do...This was not enough for them to continue, so they tried again, if only with a bit more fervor; another resounding cracking dancing within the chrysalis and no doubt outside their confinement.

Cain was on the hunt for gembounds that day. Ever since the new Hand tasked it with bringing one home, the quest lingered in the back of its mind. Today was the day that it was planning on finding a particularly idiotic creature to either drag or trick back to the Palace for the slaughter.

It also just so happened that it was practicing its magic. Stretching newfound abilities. From Polaris is picked up several different signals, lessers of different varieties, the occasional distant greater--

-- and that, my friends, is when Cain recognized a particular stone in one of the gembound. Oilstone. A valkhound? Ears pricking, the winged alien changed direction, sweeping toward what appeared to be a chrysalis. It would have to be cautious. Valkhounds could be chaotic, unpredictable, and dangerous. But crimson eyes landed upon the cracking stone, it realized this one was... small, relative to others it had know. A newborn? The feline landed several feet away, tail swishing.

It would watch, and it would wait. If this was a new creation, then... A vision flashed through its eyes, of viscera and oil, garnet and oilstone clashing with black sparks rising to sickly flame, and it was all Cain could do to shake the vision from its head. Had this valkhound caused it...? Fur prickled on the back of its neck, but it held itself tall and proud and refused to flinch.

Whatever it was, Cain would take care of it.

@Aurelia

Another attempt they tossed and turned their form to find better purchase within the chrysalis. Pale skin twisting and rolling over itself, it was evidently slicked with oil. A thin sheen that glistened softly from the dancing light that coaxed the newborn through their chrysalis. Coating their skin as they worked to find a way out. But as they tossed and turned they only churned up more and more oil; there was no easy way out. They stilled again, watching light dance over body and limbs, calm breathing and hushed whispers attempting to lead them on.

With silent and held breath, hands out were outstretched and claws laid against the colorful but mocking walls of their stone. Sharp clicking of nails started slow against the chrysalis's inner walls, testing, thinking. They pushed against the wall once, an attempt to simply pop the stone open, to crack it with ease. But to no avail.

White noise begged, overlapping speech and whispers; they newborn knew not what was spoken. But agitation boiled in the pit of their stomach. They have been in here for far too long and wanted out. A hunger grew, one they did not understand but simply knew. It had been silent now, no movement from the child within, and it would remain silent for a few moments more.

Till finally they thrashed, nails clicking once more with a sudden push against the walls, tail thrashing as all limbs pushed and clawed; till finally it a single pop rang out loud. Like a shatter of ice through a deep frozen lake, it popped and spread over the chrysalis. Oil now leaking from the mock wounds like blood, it oozed and looked toxic.

The child breathed, body twisting now readying for their birth. The chrysalis in its oozing state, all cracked and bleeding seemed to almost breathe with what rested within. The walls weakened and almost in a sense deflating now followed the rhythm of the child's breath. Till finally they surged forward, busting through the top of the chrysalis like a glass ceiling, face first; eyes evidently closed. Half their form now visible, pale body covered in oil, shimmering but dull compared to the hues that breathed beneath.

A pair- no two pairs of hands gripped the edges of the chrysalis. Holding themselves steady, before opening two primary eyes to the very bright world now. Taking a moment they breathed, oil dripping from their tongue and they seemed to almost rasp at the fresh air of freedom now. Whispers spoke, enough to one side that they turned their head to follow. Gaze now settling upon another entity that was nearby. Two eyes became six as they focused entirely on the feline now.

And they, she spoke; voice evidently new and unused but still soft.

"Who...are you?"

@Garnet-Delta

Cain froze, watching like a deer in the headlights as the chrysalis shifted and finally snapped. Oil gushed and pooled, oozing out enough that had it been standing closer, it would have to take a step back to keep the liquid from seeping into its toes.

Pitch black eyes opened, slits of golden light cracking through. The Garnet tilted its head at the Valkhound, ears raising at the creature's first words. Already, they could speak. Were they new? Or simply... smaller, than what Garnet was used to? Those eyes seemed too big, too juvenile. Maybe it was a trick, the form made to lower one's guard.

That sort of thing wouldn't work on Cain. It sized up the creature before it. "I am Overseer Cain," it declared, "Overseer of Master Vargas." It didn't expect the Valkhound to know what those words meant, or recognize the names... But hopefully, it would understand the weight of them.

"Who are you, child?" It asked, and here, it stepped forward with a small twitch of its nose, sniffing the scent of the creature. Its magic bubbled beneath its fur, drifting off it in a scent it used to calm lessers-- to not see the Overseer as a threat.

The last thing Cain needed was this thing unleashing their chaotic magic upon it.

@Aurelia

She watched curiously, eyes unblinking; watching the smaller gembound glance her over. She was unsure how much time had passed till they spoke. When they did it wasn't an outboast, but vital information and well to her at least credentials. She knew not the name of the second individual, but she knew the weight of the titles. She may not understand fully- but it was enough. It felt- right, and it had purpose; something she desperately craved to have for herself even if she hadn't quite realized that just yet. Perhaps this really was her home, or well- this was...family? An Overseer by the name of Cain. And maybe eventually the Master known as Vargas.

All she knew is despite their size Cain was stronger? Above her in rank? Something whispered to her. Words overlapping yet again in an attempt to find purpose, for action and understanding and something else she couldn't quite make out. She breathed, air pushing form her lungs with a hiss and more oil pooled from her maw. She could breathe a bit easier now with each passing second outside the chrysalis, and the longer she stood partially outside of it the more oil slicked off her form revealing her pale and pristine flesh beneath.

"Who are you, child?"

They spoke to her, asking who she was. She wasn't sure she knew how to answer- she was just...herself? Inhaling deeply then, chest almost rattled with vigor as more oil bubbled up her throat and pooled from her maw. It was easier to breathe now, as if she was emptying her lungs from the chrysilis's own twisted version of amniotic fluid. With each breathe she remained calmed and only continued to ease into a peaceful state. The presence of her Overseer Cain seemed to calm her even more- wait...her Overseer?...she blinked a few times...thinking.

"I am, me?...I don't know- everything is....new? I'm- new?"

She paused, pulling more of her body out of the chrysalis, head still turned, unmoving where it stayed focused upon Overseer Cain; blinking slowly at them in peace. But the whispers once again spoke up, overlapping in multitude once more till a name was heard- her name? The whispers all seemed to agree upon it, speaking in unison.

"I- am..Aurelia?"

It sounded nice, it felt nice; yes this was her name.

"Are you- my Overseer?"

@Garnet-Delta

From the newborn's reaction, though she had a clear grasp of language and vocabularly, this absolutely was a new creation. Cain's crimson eyes narrowed into slits, gauging the child's reactions and the way she pulled herself free. Oil slicked off of her pristine body, sleek and elegant.

Aurelia. So she had a name. Everything else seemed foreign to her, but immediately she seemed to latch on to the Overseer. It was enough to make the feline's whiskers twitch, and with some effort Cain kept its expression neutral. No, it wanted to play this game carefully.

"I could be," the Overseer replied, rising to its feet, tail tip twitching. "But no, you are your own being. You have the freedom to decide." Giving her this choice, tempting her with guidance and belonging, would she take the bait?

"If you came with me, we could train you," it offered more of an explanation, as it slowly prowled, examining her form with curiosity and cold calculation. "You have potential, Aurelia," it promised, rolling the r of her name like a purr off the tongue. "We train others like you, powerful beings of Chaos. You would have to listen to me, and answer to Master Vargas... But, that is your choice."

Eyes gleamed. Confidence, tempered. "Before that," it interrupted her, before she could make any hasty decisions. "You must be hungry." It reached out blindly for a nearby lesser-- there were plenty, hiding in the nearby cracks in the stone. A rat came scrambling, thrashing, barely under Cain's control as it dragged the prey by its blood.

"Please," it raised a paw, and gestured to the squealing lesser, "help yourself."

@Aurelia

Content Warning
This post contains potentially sensitive material:

gore

death

"I could be"

She clung to every word the Overseer spoke. Intently watching, unblinking and taking in each syllable with a hunger in her heart that only rivaled the one in her stomach. She was her own being true- but she wanted more...she wanted to belong. Were there others like her? There had to be- with how her Overseer spoke. They spun quite the offer, almost too good to be true if others were to hear it. But she was new to this world and alone, and evidently trusted her Overseer and soon- her Master Vargas in turn.

Every word they spun only added to the offer she'd be quick to accept. A family, a home, guidance and even a purpose all in one, offered on plate just for her. She craved it-something churned in her chest; a pang of desire- it was her choice yes and she already knew her answer.

Opening mouth to speak her choice- they interrupted her. So she quieted, maw closing shut waiting patiently for the feline before her to finish their words- they were confident and calmed. So she mirrored them, she felt at peace and seemed somewhat surprised at the offer of food. Well- either the offer or the fact a lesser came scrambling into view from beneath the cracks in nearby stone. It was being controlled against its will- Overseer Cain had his power?...It was impressive and she could only do what felt right, to bow slightly in a silent thanks as she pulled the rest of her mass from the chrysalis now. Oil dripping off her back half as her tail swayed just a tad.

She approached them, in a manner she felt...respectable- though maybe ended up a bit too close; she was eyeing the rat with rather intense focus. Maw opening oh so slowly she spoke, throat almost dry as yes- she was...very hungry. Something churned in her gut, coiling and thrashing like snakes; she was very hungry. If one were to look close enough- they may even see what appeared to be something moving just beneath her skin. She was unknowingly preparing.

I am- very hungry...thank you Overseer

She moved then- perhaps a bit too sudden. Jaws snapping open and colliding with the ground below, clamping down upon the struggling lesser her Overseer had so graciously offered her. The lesser now caught between rows of razor teeth struggled for just a second till finally she bit down with fervor- popping like an egg in the microwave. Most of the viscera making its way down her throat- only some remnants of ichor splattering down her maw, throat and the floor below. It wasn't much that was spilled-she would dare not waste such a gift of food from Overseer Cain after all.

Tongues now trailing over teeth on full display as she picked at wet flesh and fur alike that was caught between. Making quick work to make herself a bit more presentable- and calming the hunger that still roiled in her gut like a turbulent sea. She stilled herself, calming- inhaling sharply with new found vigor and closed eyes. Slowly opening all three pairs, focused entirely on Overseer Cain yet again, a calm and thankful smile upon her maw, gently bowing her neck to the feline before her in gratitude.

"Thank you Overseer.


@Garnet-Delta

This was a test from the Overseer, one that was predictable when it came to the nature of Valkhounds (oh, Gembounds, how they could flinch away from the necessity that these creatures grasped with every fiber) but still utterly satisfying to witness. Up close it might have been enough to make Cain flinch, but if it did, by the time Aurelia's gaze lifted, the Overseer had seemingly not moved an inch.

Already, Aurelia was proving to be wonderfully coherent, and... intelligent? Respectful, in a way that Dracouna would never be. How far did her obedience reach, and how tighter could Cain tie the leash while she was still young, planting seeds that would ensure that her Chaos would belong to the Forge? Cain was calculating each of these thoughts rapidly, as its magic crawled under her skin to feel the turmoil in her body as its own.

Underneath, Cain felt: Wanting, a desire to belong. A hunger, for power. And already, an admiration that Cain had not felt from anyone spare if it could claim its Master's satisfaction in its skill as the same emotion. This felt... Different.

She bowed her head, and Cain's whiskers twitched. It felt the storm settle into a perfect calm, and taking that as its sigh, it rose to its feet and drew closer to the beast. Yes, its fur prickled at the close proximity to a beast so unnatural and chaotic (as though instinct told it this was not of Natural Order), without the familiarity it had of its Master, but there was not a moment of hesitation as it rubbed its cheek, flank, tail along Aurelia's shoulder.

"Then," it spoke softly, a faint purr in its throat, "come with me, Aurelia. I will take you home." She had not given Cain her answer, but again it weaved its narrative around her: illusion of choice, showing her a set path, and then smoothly instructing her obedience when it felt no resistance. She would come to trust Cain, and thus, the child of Chaos would be its.

Master Vargas was going to be impressed with this one.

"While we walk," it added as it trotted off, expecting her to follow. "You must have questions? Go on." It would feed her curiosity, shape her world view. And in the back of its mind, its magic sunk deep into her heart, it watched for any shift that would warn it of danger or betrayal. It was not foolish enough to think it had bested the whims of a child, certainly not one of chaos. It would only take a split second for her to turn on it, or so it believed.

@Aurelia

By the time Aurelia had begun to raise her head, their Overseer was in very close proximity and closing their distance. She knew not what they were doing, but it was welcomed; evident that she felt no fear but instead was pleasantly surprised and in fact welcomed their approach. But when Cain had rubbed their cheek, flank and even tail along her shoulder she was overjoyed? She knew not many words to describe it but there was no hesitation from her Overseer, and so there was none from her either.

The feline purred, faintly caught in their throat; but enough to where Aurelia seemed to mimic such occurrence. Whether this was an attempt at mimicking or- something she did naturally remained to be seen. But it was evidently a great sign of comfort and happiness within this chaos beast. When they spoke her purr lowered in volume, turned down a couple notches till barely audible but still it remained. But they soon spoke of home, and it amped up when Aurelia parted her maw in an attempt to speak.

Before much of well anything else could leave her throat her Overseer had begun to trot off, another train of thought on their mind. She quickly followed suit, though not as fast; her gait much larger than the obviously smaller feline before her. She was a mix of impressed and thrilled that her Overseer seemed to already know her answer already, she wanted to follow them. To belong and have purpose- Overseer and a Master; is this not what ever Valkhound needs?...

She did have questions, many actually, whether or not her thoughts or the whispers could organize themselves for such was another story entirely. But still she would try. Regardless of the close proximity- she knew not of the magic Cain spun around her; but even if she knew she would not think it to be a bad thing. Magic use to understand her feelings when she possibly wasn't sure how to properly show or explain them herself- she was just a child; she knew nothing- yet.

"I have questions-"

She paused, perhaps a bit overwhelmed she was silent for a few moments, silently following her Overseer to wherever they were taking her now- no she already knew where they were going- home.

"We're going home?- Will Master Vargas be there?-Are they your Master too?"

She had a lot of questions- that much would be obvious, but she was calm- though beneath she was rather excited- and that by far would be the loudest of the three emotions- for she had no fear or doubt in the feline's words.

She had an Overseer!? She was going home! Going to meet Master Vargas alongside Overseer Cain!? What more could she want?- oh wait purpose, guidance-wait that was there too! Yes she was very excited! Something coiling and wiggling just beneath flesh- tendrils of muscle contracting and spasming with such fervor at these overwhelming emotions she knew not what to do- so she remained as physically calm as she could. Though she perhaps wiggled- maybe just a little, and continued to purr just a tad.

@Garnet-Delta

She had questions. Good. Cain's tail twitched, and it passed a glance back as it trotted along, blinking calmly at Aurelia. It took the child a while to process her thoughts and start asking questions, but the ones that came made it smile. Whiskers twitching, its gaze moved forward. It attempted to use its magic to show Aurelia the sights it would see, but it would take more effort than it could produce in the moment to pierce the chaotic thoughts. So, the old fashion way. As it was used to, it supposed.

"Yes," it answered, "We're going home, to the Chaos Forge. We live in the heart of Draco, one of the many rooms in this cave. In Draco, there is a Black Spire. It is dangerous, but it will stabilize you. Draconua, one of the other Valkhounds, sleeps under it. Be cautious, she is destruction and chaos incarnate. Master Vargas barely contains her." And that was the gritty truth, a grim reality that kept Cain carefully positioned a safe distance from the Sleepless Chaos.

The Overseer continued to feed information to the newborn, glad to fill her young mind with knowledge while she out poured pure, overwhelming eagerness in return. "Master Vargas will likely be there," it promised, "He is the Master of the Chaos Forge, indeed, my Master as well, and one of the few Masters in the cave that still rule." It was funny listening to the little Aurelia try to purr, something that made the winged cat want to continue to purr. It refrained out of dignity, of course, but it did tickle Cain quite a bit.

"If you show Master Vargas respect," Overseer Cain continued, "he will treat you well. There will be plenty of time for training once you settle down. Whether I, or one of the others, teach you-- the Forge will make you strong." Of course, there were always failures... but how could Cain look at a child as eager as it had always been, and not feel history repeating in a perfect loop?

Once more it glanced to Aurelia, and nodded, showing that it was done explaining, and if she had more questions... she was welcome to ask.

@Aurelia